Performance Measures
The Mission Data Management System proposes a new approach to Performance Measure (PM) reporting.
Currently, A/CORs update the PPR Tracker for each Activity based on Annual Reports submitted by Implementing Partners at the end of the fiscal year. Some teams, but not all, utilize additional activity-specific performance measure trackers to collect data more frequently or collect additional disaggregates for specific performance measures. The MECLA Team submits the data to FactsInfo after drafting summary narratives and receiving necessary clearances.
In the proposed process, the Data Steward would work with the A/COR and Implementing Partner during Activity Start Up to set up a shared Activity Folder on Google Drive. The Implementing Partner will use the guidance in the Activity MECLA Plan & Data Management Plan (DMP) to submit datasets in the appropriate format and the required frequency in the Thematic Datasets subfolder. Data from the Activity Folder can then be easily read into the Mission Database. (Recall that datasets which inform PMs are termed "Thematic Data" in the Agency, see more here.)
However, the current process will need to be maintained at least until all Activities have converted to the new process. The TrackerGEN is a Google Apps Script tool that can be used by the Data Steward to automatically generate an Activity PM Tracker for any Activity. Using TrackerGEN will ensure the PM data can be easily ingested by the Mission Database.
Importantly, the Mission Database must be set up to properly store PM results and aggregate PM results in a meaningful way. The DIS will serve as the point-of-reference for PM metadata such as disaggregates and aggregation schemes. For any PM used in the Mission, the Data Steward will set up the PM in DIS and then download the PM Template to extract the necessary information using the PM Template Reader (not shown).
Finally, the Data Steward will query the Mission Database to summarize performance data. Until the Mission adopts the DIS for reporting, the PPR Tracker will be updated by the PM data of the Mission Database for reporting to FactsInfo. Any reports, presentations, and analysis generated in review of the PM data, for example during the Performance Plan & Report (PPR), will be uploaded to the MECLA Library and included in the Mission Knowledge Management system.